Window-screen



(No Model.)

I J. s. WHITE.

WINDOW SCREEN.

No. 404.454. Patented June 4, 1889 w J1 B It is to the construction of a screen which UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN S. WHITE, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

WINDOW-SCREEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,454, dated J ane 4, 1889.

Application filed June 2'7, 1888. Serial No. 278,357. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN S. \VHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVindow-Screens; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to window-screens, such as are used for the exclusion of flies and other insects; and it is designed to be applied either to houses in the process of construction or to those already built.

In the window-screens now in common use-at least in those which are made to measure for the window, and are consequently closely fitted-suitable provision has not been made for the ready and easy removal of the screen. Now as screens are required to be often removed during the summer to admit of washing the windows and for other purposes this becomes a Very important point.

shall be cheaply and simply made and which shall be tight and readily removable that my invention is directed.

My invention consists of a frame having in its edge a longitudinal groove, a tongueor strip fitting said groove, springs for forcing said strip outward, a rod or wire having its ends bent to pass through the side bar of said frame and secured to the said strip, spiral springs surrounding said ends for forcing said strip outward, said rod having its central portion bent to form a handle, whereby said strip may be retracted, and a grooved casing to receive said strip.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a screen in position in a window. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the line 00 a: of Figl 4. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of aportion of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 'y y of Fig. 3.

A represents a window-screen having the top and bottom bars a a and the side bars a a.

In the outer edge of the side bar a is a longitudinal groove a as here shown, extending the entire length of the screen. In this groove is fitted somewhat loosely a tongue or strip D, which extends the same length as the groove a 1ia1nely,the entire length of the frame.

A wire or rod 0 has its ends bent, as here shown, at right angles, or nearly so, said ends passing loosely through holes made in the side bar a of the frame and entering the strip D, and there secured by being fitted tightly in place, as here shown, or otherwise secured thereto. The main portion of the rod lies vertically in a groove a formed on the inner edge of the side bar a, and the middle portion is formed into a handle, whereby the strip may be drawn inward in the groove (1 A spiral spring surrounds eaeh end of the wire 0 and fills a recess formed in the side bar a. It has a bearing on a shoulder formed within said recess, and also on the inner edge of the strip D, and it thus exerts a pressure on the strip D to force it outward.

A casing B is provided on each side of the window, this casing being made with a longitudinal groove 1), which is of the proper size to admit the strip D. This casing may be furnished with the screen and secured to theordinary casin g of the window; or if the screens are made when the house is built a longitudinal groove is simply cut in the windowcasing proper. This construction described namely, the adjustable strip-can be applied to each side of the screen-frame, or it may be used on one side only, the other side being provided with a simple strip fixed permanently to the edge of the frame; or the strip may be formed as a part of the frame itself.

It is evident from the construction how my device is to be operated. When the screen is to be removed, the handle formed in the wire 0 is pulled inward, the strip D being thus retracted against the force of the springs to free it from the groove b and allow it to be slipped out, it being understood that the groove a is deep enough to allow this to take place. I prefer to provide a handle on each side bar, even when only one adjustable strip is used, as these are convenient in handling the screen when the latter is to be raised or lowered or removed. The friction between the a rod or wire having its ends bent at right angles to pass through said side bar and to enter said strip, coiled springs surrounding said ends for forcing said strip outward, said rod having formed in its central portion a loop or handle, whereby said strip may be ret-raeted, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I ai'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. WHITE. lVitnesses:

S. \V. BATES, XVILBUR F. LUNT. 

